A day after a Naxal attack left 12 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead and another 28 wounded in Gadchiroli, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday owed to give a "befitting reply" to the ultras and said the security forces will be equipped with best landmine detection technology.
"The best available anti-landmine technology in the world will be brought in," Home Minister R R Patil told the media after meeting some of the injured CRPF personnel at the general hospital in Gadchiroli in eastern Maharashtra.
The attack took place on Tuesday when the ultras triggered a landmine blast which blew up a bus transporting 40 CRPF men from Pushtola to Gatta village.
Patil said the blast was of very high intensity.
"Though the state police and CRPF men have been quite alert, the Naxals are managing to successfully trigger landmine blasts to target the security forces. Such powerful blasts have to be avoided and for this the best available technology in the world will be brought in," he said.
"The mistakes, if any, will be found and rectified. The authorities have been asked to submit a detailed report in this regard," the minister said.
Later, Patil speaking at a CRPF camp in Gadchiroli commended the personnel for rendering selfless service. "The CRPF personnel should not consider themselves alone. The ten crore people of Maharashtra are with you and the Naxals will be given befitting reply."
Patil asked the CRPF personnel to continue their fight against Naxalites.
The minister also chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials of the police and district administration. He took stock of the situation in the wake of the latest blast and reviewed progress of anti-Naxal operation.
